Ancient Vessels
Tall Ships
Pirate Ships
Sailboats
Riverboats
Classic Boats
Classic Yachts
Modern Yachts
Half Hulls   
Ocean Liners   
Cruise Ships   
Merchantmen
Exploration
Tugboats
Civil War
Spanish War
Warships
Aircraft Carriers
Coast Guard
Metal Models
Submarines
Other Types
Large Models
Small  Models
 Clearance deals!
Display cases
Repair Service
Remote Control
COMMISSIONING

   website security

 Paypal payment
Guarantee
About Us
Why Us
Contact Us
Work Opportunity
View Cart
Shipping

Feedback

News


   256-bit encryption
 $500,000 protection

    
 

 


CSS MANASSAS

CSS Manassas was the first Confederate Ironclad. Converted from the icebreaker Enoch Train, her above-water hull was reshaped to a "turtle-back" form and covered with 1.5" iron plating, along with an iron ram beneath the waterline. She became a 387-ton ironclad ram that had a 64lb. gun behind a single gun port with an armored shutter.

At its lowest when fully loaded, the hull projected only 6+1⁄2 feet above the waterline, not counting her smokestacks. The convex shape of her iron-plated topside was intended to cause cannon shot to glance off harmlessly. She was 128 feet in length overall, and had a 26-foot hull beam and 11-foot draught. Her low profile made her a difficult target, while her curved armor iron plate protected her against all but the most well-directed Union cannon fire. Lying low in the water, she looked like a floating cigar or submerged egg shell and was described by Union intelligence as a "hellish machine."

Initially, Manassas was meant to be a privateer but was commandeered by the CSN as a naval vessel. She first attacked the USS Richmond on Oct. 12, 1861 by ramming. the Union vessel was seriously damaged, Manassas was also damaged, mainly by the force of her own ramming effort, but successfully withdrew and was repaired.

Her next foray would be the Battle of the Passes in April, 1862 where she basically battled the entire Union Fleet, when US Navy Flag Officer David Glasgow Farragut boldly took his squadron up the river past Confederate Forts Jackson and Saint Philip to capture New Orleans. In the action Manassas attempted to ram USS Pensacola, which turned in time to avoid the heavy blow and delivered a full broadside at close range. Manassas then ran into more murderous fire from the whole line of the Union fleet. She then charged USS Mississippi and delivered a long glancing blow to her hull, also firing her single cannon as she rammed. Next she rammed USS Brooklyn, again firing her cannon, injuring Brooklyn deeply, but not fatally.

After this action Manassas followed the Union fleet quietly for a while, but as she drew closer Mississippi furiously turned on her and made an attempt to ram the ironclad. Manassas managed to dodge the blow but ran aground in the process. USS Mississippi disabled her with withering cannon fire. Her crew managed to escape as Mississippi poured heavy broadsides into the stranded Confederate ram. Now on fire, Manassas slipped off the bank and drifted down the river past the Union mortar flotilla. Commander David Dixon Porter, USN, in command of the mortar boats, tried to save her as an engineering curiosity, but CSS Manassas exploded and immediately plunged under water, a total loss.

We build this primarily wood CSS Manassas model in two sizes:

18" long (1/100 scale) $2,190 Shipping and insurance in the contiguous US included. Other places: $200 flat rate.   

34" long (1/48 scale) $2,850 Shipping and insurance in the contiguous US included. Other places: $300 flat rate.

Models are made to order only. We require only a small deposit to start the process $900   The remaining balance won't be due until the model is completed, in less than 6 months. World's most accurate and premium model or 100% your money back.

Learn more about the Manassas ironclad here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSS_Manassas